Torsional tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene composites filled with hexagonal boron nitride and phenyl p-hydroxybenzoate under different angular displacements

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and poly (phenyl p-hydroxybenzoate) (PHBA) on improving the torsional tribological behavior of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Design/methodology/approach – This paper investigates the torsional tribological behavior of PTFE composites filled with h-BN and PHBA under different angular displacements with a plane-on-plane torsional friction tester. The worn surface of PTFE composites was investigated by using a scanning electron microscope. Findings – The shape of T–Θ curves of PTFE composites was influenced by both content fillers and torsional angule. The material with a higher coefficient of sliding friction exhibited the larger torsional angle under which the torsional regime transited from a partial slip to a gross slip. PTFE composites filled with 20 weight per cent PHBA and 10 weight per cent h-BN showed the best anti-wear properties. The specific wear rate of composites exhibits a negative correlation with material hardness. The wear volume loss presents a positive correlation with friction dissipation energy. The specific wear rate of all composites decreased with increasing torsional angle. The dominant wear mechanism of pure PTFE was adhesive wear. The slight plastic flow and plowing occurred on the worn surfaces of PTFE composites because of the higher hardness of composites and the lubrication of h-BN particles with layer crystal structure. Originality/value – This paper put forward a kind of PTFE composite with low torsional wear rate, which can be used in the sliding slewing bearing or the center plate of a bogie.